Minneapolis Public Schools’ 2016 referendum

On Nov. 8, Minneapolis voters voted to renew the school district’s current operating referendum authorization. Funding from the referendum will help Minneapolis Public Schools manage class sizes and provide supportive services and activities for students. The request would authorize the referendum for nine years and be adjusted annually for inflation. Property taxes are not projected to increase due to this referendum.

What is an operating referendum and what does it do?
An operating referendum is part of school funding in Minnesota. Nearly all school districts rely on referendum revenue to cover part of the cost of education. In Minneapolis, these funds would be used to manage class sizes and provide supportive services and activities for students.

Operating referendum questions ask voters to authorize a specific amount of funding per pupil that comes from property taxes. Nearly all school districts in Minnesota receive referendum revenue. For MPS, the expiring amount is $1,604.31 per pupil. For the 2016-17 school year, the total referendum revenue, including the “Local Optional Revenue” of $424 per pupil, is approximately $74 million. This represents about 13 percent of the operating budget.

Where can I find more information?
If you have questions, please email answers@mpls.k12.mn.us, or call the referendum hotline at 612-668-5480.